​We officially launched our Child Safeguard Commitment Statement today, committing Western Health to doing everything possible to provide an environment that is caring, nurturing and safe for children and young people.

This year’s National Child Protection Week reinforced that the protection of children is everyone’s business, and asked the question: “What role do you play?” Our statement makes our role clear and commits us to accept responsibility for keeping children safe.

“Parents entrust us with the care and safety of their children and we take this responsibility very seriously,” Ms Mollo said.“Children rely on adults to keep them safe every day. When we lose sight of this mission, or fail to make safety of children our number one priority, the impacts are devastating.

“Providing the best care for children and young people does not just apply to those in our care but children who visit their families, friends or volunteers in our hospital,” she said.

Western Health has committed to taking action to protect children and young people by:

providing an environment for young people that is caring, nurturing and safe

safeguarding children and young people from sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect and witnessing violence

following all legislative mandatory reporting requirements

empowering children and young people to actively participate in decisions about their care.

Doctors, nurses, midwives, social workers and others who work in a hospital setting are uniquely placed to help children and young people who are subject to abuse seek the safety and support they need.

With major and long-term physical and psychological health impacts, research shows that violence against women, children and young people results in substantial repeat presentations in hospitals and associated heath care costs.

Actions in the near future include delivering mandatory reporting training for all mandated health professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives and psychologists) and implementing the Child Safe Standards at Western Health.